Today's other stories in brief

Jovanovic 'agrees to join Liverpool'

STANDARD Liege forward Milan Jovanovic (28) claims he has agreed terms with Liverpool to join them in the summer. His current deal with the Belgian club expires in the summer and he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club. Jovanovic now claims he has just to complete a medical before everything is concluded. "We have reached an agreement for three years, with the option to extend with another season," he said.

BORDEAUX’s Marouane Chamakh has held talks with three English Premier League clubs but denied media reports he had tied himself to Arsenal from next season, the striker said yesterday.

“Some said today I have signed for Arsenal. I deny it categorically. It’s true there are contacts with English clubs, including Arsenal, but I deny there’s a deal,” the 26-year-old Morocco international said.

Inter held by 10-man Parma

INTER MILAN extended their lead at the top of the Serie A to nine points after being held to a draw by 10-man Parma last night.

Valeri Bojinov put the hosts in front nine minutes into the second half before a dominant Nerazzurri levelled through substitute Mario Balotelli five minutes later.

Parma had to play with 10 men after Francesco Valiani was sent off with 18 minutes remaining for a second booking.

But the defending champions were unable to make the most of their superiority and had to settle for a point.

Parma rarely threatened in the first period but came to life after the re-start and took the lead in the 54th minute.

Inter failed to clear a Parma corner and the ball fell to Bojinov who fired into the back of the net from close range.

Parma’s joy was short-lived as the hosts also failed to clear a corner, leaving substitute Balotelli free in the six-yard box to strike past Mirante.

Barcelona 'flatly deny' agreement with Fabregas

EUROPEAN champions Barcelona “flatly deny” they have reached an agreement with Cesc Fabregas which would see the Arsenal captain return to the Nou Camp at the end of the season.

Reports in Spain suggest Fabregas, who has always said he would love to play for Barcelona, has come to a verbal agreement with the Catalan club and will sign a five-year contract in the summer.

However, Barcelona have released a statement rubbishing the reports. It read: “Given the exceptional repercussions created by the stories that have appeared in different media with respect to an agreement with Arsenal FC player Cesc Fabregas, Barca flatly deny that there have been any negotiations or agreements with the player.

“In accordance with Fifa regulations, FC Barcelona’s contract policy has always made it a priority to negotiate with the club of origin before making any particular agreement with the player. FC Barcelona wishes to stress that it has always maintained excellent institutional relations with Arsenal.”

Fabregas has long been linked with a move back to Barcelona, where he spent six years before joining Arsenal in 2003.

Fifa not planning to scrap window

FIFA have no plans to review the controversial transfer window system despite vociferous criticism from many senior footballing figures. Numerous club owners, managers and players have hit out at the current set-up, which only allows clubs to purchase players between July and the end of August, and then in January.

“For the time being, Fifa is not considering reviewing the principles of the regulations on the status and transfer of players which includes the registration periods,” a Fifa spokesperson said yesterday.

Fifa refused to comment on the legality of the transfer window system while the English FA confirmed it is unable to change the transfer system as it is a member association of Fifa.

Many believe the current system drives up prices of players and contracts and therefore does not encourage financial responsibility, particularly from buying clubs. Last week Sunderland manager Steve Bruce became the latest high-profile critic of the system by predicting it would only be a matter of time until the transfer windows were challenged in the courts by footballers.